Their front yard at 1428 Fernview Drive – selected as the July Garden of the Month by the Modesto Garden Club – was one of angles and squares when they moved into the home there in 1977.

In 2005, they decided to design a garden based on curves and arcs.

According to a press release from the Modesto Garden Club, the Lieses’ garden was selected for its “contrast of textures, colors and forms with graceful elevation changes.”

One part of the yard is green grass with a curved flagstone walk separating it from a dry portion planted with fescue and pittosporum. The hardscape provides continuity and balance with a large, curved apron porch of slate.

A portico is draped with wisteria vines that are planted in pots to control their growth. The wisteria provides horizontal interest, while two spruces provide vertical interest, noted the press release.

The light taupe house has a darker taupe roof and ivory trim that creates a complementary backdrop for a swath of greenery featuring sword ferns and boxwoods that thrive along the front of the house.

A water feature attracts birds and there are shady sanctuaries in the yard filled with azaleas and camellias. Other seasonal plantings currently include begonias and lobelia.